Is Marcus Smart meeting expectations? Grade him here.

[cousytoheinsohn]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

[tankcity!]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

[celticsclay]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

Many of the players you just mentioned were started on championship teams, some time multiple times. It isn't an all-star, but it is not chopped liver either. Although the first 4 players were all a lot better than Delladova, he shouldn't really be lumped in with the others.

[tankcity!]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

Many of the players you just mentioned were started on championship teams, some time multiple times. It isn't an all-star, but it is not chopped liver either. Although the first 4 players were all a lot better than Delladova, he shouldn't really be lumped in with the others.

I would go back and reread this thread. I value Smart as long as people realize he's that type of player. He's nothing more. Why would I mention those players? Because they have value right?  People talk about him like he's better than Bradley. That's my only problem. I would love to have Smart long term, but let's not pretend like the Front Office wasn't hoping for more with this player when they drafted him.

We need stars. Smart is not going to be one. So now we only Have Jaylen and the two remaining Brooklyn picks. We need multiple all stars on this team. Here is to hoping we draft some.

[cousytoheinsohn]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

Many of the players you just mentioned were started on championship teams, some time multiple times. It isn't an all-star, but it is not chopped liver either. Although the first 4 players were all a lot better than Delladova, he shouldn't really be lumped in with the others.

Sometimes you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

The Cs weren't the same after Posey and then Tony left. They sorely needed what James would have provided against the Lakers in 2010. Either or both of them could have been the difference in those subsequent matchups with the Heat for the Eastern Conference title which were, in essence, for the NBA title.

The eternally under-appreciated Tony was a personal favorite. It was sad to seem him go. Chris Wallace, the Grizz GM and Danny's former assistant, knew full well the type of player he was getting in Tony who proceeded to play some stellar ball for Memphis and is still a very effective player in his mid-thirties. Wallace may have gotten the better of his ex-mentor in that deal. It doesn't happen often.

It's taken the Celtics this long to reacquire that for-real-and-righteous mean streak you need to have realistic championship aspirations in the form of Marcus Smart. I think that the for-real version combined with an impressive skill set is actually quite rare. That's why only a few teams, which always happen to be the best teams, have that kind of guy. Not coincidentally, the Cs are that kind of team and have that kind of guy.

[tankcity!]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

Many of the players you just mentioned were started on championship teams, some time multiple times. It isn't an all-star, but it is not chopped liver either. Although the first 4 players were all a lot better than Delladova, he shouldn't really be lumped in with the others.

Sometimes you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

The Cs weren't the same after Posey and then Tony left. They sorely needed what James would have provided against the Lakers in 2010. Either or both of them could have been the difference in those subsequent matchups with the Heat for the Eastern Conference title which were, in essence, for the NBA title.

The eternally under-appreciated Tony was a personal favorite. It was sad to seem him go. Chris Wallace, the Grizz GM and Danny's former assistant, knew full well the type of player he was getting in Tony who proceeded to play some stellar ball for Memphis and is still a very effective player in his mid-thirties. Wallace may have gotten the better of his ex-mentor in that deal. It doesn't happen often.

It's taken the Celtics this long to reacquire that for-real-and-righteous mean streak you need to have realistic championship aspirations in the form of Marcus Smart. I think that the for-real version combined with an impressive skill set is actually quite rare. That's why only a few teams, which always happen to be the best teams, have that kind of guy. Not coincidentally, the Cs are that kind of team and have that kind of guy.

I know what you mean man, but we still went to the finals without Tony Allen. At the end of the day, our focus should be on superstars. Maybe I focus on that too much, but I mean we're not going anywhere until we get two more all stars on this team. So that is what my main concern is. I'm sure Smart is important too, but he's worthless without all stars around him.

[mctyson]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post.  He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score. 

[mr. dee]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

Many of the players you just mentioned were started on championship teams, some time multiple times. It isn't an all-star, but it is not chopped liver either. Although the first 4 players were all a lot better than Delladova, he shouldn't really be lumped in with the others.

Sometimes you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

The Cs weren't the same after Posey and then Tony left. They sorely needed what James would have provided against the Lakers in 2010. Either or both of them could have been the difference in those subsequent matchups with the Heat for the Eastern Conference title which were, in essence, for the NBA title.

The eternally under-appreciated Tony was a personal favorite. It was sad to seem him go. Chris Wallace, the Grizz GM and Danny's former assistant, knew full well the type of player he was getting in Tony who proceeded to play some stellar ball for Memphis and is still a very effective player in his mid-thirties. Wallace may have gotten the better of his ex-mentor in that deal. It doesn't happen often.

It's taken the Celtics this long to reacquire that for-real-and-righteous mean streak you need to have realistic championship aspirations in the form of Marcus Smart. I think that the for-real version combined with an impressive skill set is actually quite rare. That's why only a few teams, which always happen to be the best teams, have that kind of guy. Not coincidentally, the Cs are that kind of team and have that kind of guy.

I know what you mean man, but we still went to the finals without Tony Allen. At the end of the day, our focus should be on superstars. Maybe I focus on that too much, but I mean we're not going anywhere until we get two more all stars on this team. So that is what my main concern is. I'm sure Smart is important too, but he's worthless without all stars around him.

Tony Allen was still in the roster during their 2010 finals run. It was after he left (and Lebron joining Miami) that the team becomes suddenly on decline. Jeff Green was a huge disappointment and Mickael Pietrus could only do much.

I think being an All-star is overrated. None of Chauncey  Billups and Rip Hamilton were All-Stars before the Pistons won it all. Pistons only have established stars in the Wallace Brothers and they were heavy underdogs in the playoffs. Mike Conley is never one but he's clearly the best player on the Grizzlies right now.

You have guys like Kyle Korver, Jamaal Magloire and Roy Hibbert as all-stars. That says it all.

[green_bballers13]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post. He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score.

TP. I'd love to hear people try to argue against the bolded points.

[green_bballers13]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post. He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score.

TP. I'd love to hear people try to argue against the bolded points.

[Eja117]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post. He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score.

TP. I'd love to hear people try to argue against the bolded points.

I agree he plays hard in the 4th quarter every game. When you can't shoot you really need to play hard. And it is rare that we have seen players like him. Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe being a jack of all trades, master of none isn't good. Maybe it's not what we were looking for when we drafted him. Maybe that's really just a consolation prize. He doesn't totally suck. That's what that boils down to. Can't hit a shot but hey he can defend a 4.  If the idea is for Marcus to defend 4s you are having a bad day.

[Ilikesports17]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post. He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score.

TP. I'd love to hear people try to argue against the bolded points.

I agree he plays hard in the 4th quarter every game. When you can't shoot you really need to play hard. And it is rare that we have seen players like him. Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe being a jack of all trades, master of none isn't good. Maybe it's not what we were looking for when we drafted him. Maybe that's really just a consolation prize. He doesn't totally suck. That's what that boils down to. Can't hit a shot but hey he can defend a 4.  If the idea is for Marcus to defend 4s you are having a bad day.

of course he doesnt totally suck.

The idea that Marcus Smart "totally sucks" yet still managed to average 30 mpg for the team with the 4th best record in the NBA is crazy.

Smart has a good shot at landing on an all-defense team and will likely scrape up a few 6moty votes.

So no, Marcus Smart doesnt totally suck. Isaiah Thomas doesnt totally suck either. Neither does Lebron james.

[Eja117]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post. He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score.

TP. I'd love to hear people try to argue against the bolded points.

I agree he plays hard in the 4th quarter every game. When you can't shoot you really need to play hard. And it is rare that we have seen players like him. Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe being a jack of all trades, master of none isn't good. Maybe it's not what we were looking for when we drafted him. Maybe that's really just a consolation prize. He doesn't totally suck. That's what that boils down to. Can't hit a shot but hey he can defend a 4.  If the idea is for Marcus to defend 4s you are having a bad day.

of course he doesnt totally suck.

The idea that Marcus Smart "totally sucks" yet still managed to average 30 mpg for the team with the 4th best record in the NBA is crazy.

Smart has a good shot at landing on an all-defense team and will likely scrape up a few 6moty votes.

So no, Marcus Smart doesnt totally suck. Isaiah Thomas doesnt totally suck either. Neither does Lebron james.

No. He just sucks at the more important half of the game. Luckily he is probably in the top 15 at the other half.

[wayupnorth]

Smart didn't win back to back State Championships in High School by being a dominant point guard, scorer. He won by hustle, defense, rebounds, shutting down opponents stars, taking charges, and changing the complexity of the game without scoring.

He was hands down the MVP of those championship games and this is what you're seeing now. He won't unleash until the 4th quarter when he his foul count is low and he can go all out. He'll get in your head, out hustle anyone on either team, he's a man amongst men. Just watch as this thing goes on, he's undeniable.

There are different ways to be a star, which at times goes unrealized, unnoticed or just undervalued around these parts. The kind you describe in describing Marcus is maybe the rarest. Players like him are in short supply and difficult to acquire. Every truly great team has had at least one and needs at least one to be truly great.

The 4th quarter angle is key. Looking at it from the perspective of a teammate, is there anyone else you want out there fighting by your side in the waning minutes of a close game for all the little and big basketball things he is capable of doing than Marcus?

It's not a coincidence that the Celtics' steadily improving fortunes have coincided with his arrival.

So he's Bruce Bowen, Tony Allen, or Robert Horry? James Posey, lol. Delladova? These players aren't as hard to find as you're making them out to be.

No, those guys aren't easy to find.  They are certainly not as hard to find as perennial all-stars or MVPs, but the Celtics never replaced Tony Allen after they lost him and they paid for it.

I am not sure what Marcus' ceiling is.  He is a very unique player, to say the least.  There haven't been many PGs in the NBA with his size and strength who can legitimately defend 4s and 5s in the post. He is a 23-year old Swiss Army Knife with a linebacker body logging 30+ minutes for a top-7 NBA team.  There is no doubt in my mind that every team in the league wants him on the roster.  The guy plays his a$$ off every game, no matter what the score.

TP. I'd love to hear people try to argue against the bolded points.

I agree he plays hard in the 4th quarter every game. When you can't shoot you really need to play hard. And it is rare that we have seen players like him. Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe being a jack of all trades, master of none isn't good. Maybe it's not what we were looking for when we drafted him. Maybe that's really just a consolation prize. He doesn't totally suck. That's what that boils down to. Can't hit a shot but hey he can defend a 4.  If the idea is for Marcus to defend 4s you are having a bad day.

Just because you had outsized and utterly unrealistic goals for Marcus, doesn't mean you should completely disregard his game.

It gets really, really old.

Neither Randle nor Lavine would be able to play anywhere close to the amount of time in the playoffs Marcus can, because their defense is absolutely terrible.

Anyone that says either of those two are better than Smart, either do not care about defense, or simply don't watch any Wolves or Lakers games.

Those two are absolutely clueless on defense, and constantly get lost off ball.

Smart plays like a seasoned vet at 23.

Your over the top complaining and whining is just embarrassing.

[mobilija]

Forgive me if someone has already pointed this out.

This thread is about expectations. So looking back at Smart's draft profile, strengths/weaknesses, of your favorite draft site you will find your answer. Coming out of college Smart was labeled a poor shooter but good finisher around the rim that got to the free throw line a lot. An average playmaker with relatively low bball iq, that didn't have as much pick and roll experience as one would like but good at posting up and did so at a rate higher than most small forwards. Defensively he had good anticipation skills for streals and blocks and his strength allowed him to guard multiple positions. His intangibles rated highly, i.e. hustle and timely plays though tends to flop and get over emotional with opposing players.

This sounds like almost the same player he is today. Shooting still bad, finishing at rim and free throw attempts worse as he isn't able to bully his way to the rim like he did in college. I'd argue his playmaking skills, passing and ball handling have improved to the point where he is servicable running the point on pick and roll and getting the ball to others in scoring position. His defense and intangibles are probably better than advertised. He makes some ridiculus steals and hustle plays. He still flops but seems to be starting to get the benefit of the doubt from the refs. Still is overly emotional and has a tendency to get in bouts of machismo with opposing players, but not usually to the detriment of the team. Actually, this might bring more fire to the team.

So has he met expectations?

 I'd say mostly. His strengths are greater than advertised (defense,intangibles)his weakness are a mixed bag. Scoring is still bad, probably worse, but his passing is better and his flops and outburst are positives not negatives. People probably want to see more growth from a high lottery pick but sometimes you get exactly what you bought. And if you highly value offense, like the OP, well... then you're probably disappointed but given his skill set coming out of college, shouldn't have had high expectations to begin with.